The local branch of the national cyclists’ touring club offer a range of outings to suit all abilities.

These are graded in such a way that members can pick the type of ride and distance they want to tackle.

Longer trips (main rides) are held on the second Sunday of the month and these generally extend to 40/50 miles, starting at various points.

Shorter trips (easy rides) are on the last Sunday of the month and these are generally limited to around 25 miles. Again, start points are varied.

Other categories are ladies (first Saturday of month), midweek rides (fortnightly on Wednesdays, May to September) and special rides (theme-based with wide variety of distances).

The group are a friendly bunch and the pedalling speed is determined on each trip by those taking part.

This year, there are 50 rides planned and the information on each is shown on www.cycleayrshire.co.uk

The next trip is an easy ride in Rothesay, meeting at Wemyss Bay for the ferry at 10am, on January 29.

l EIGHT riders from Walkers CC ventured out in cool temperatures on Saturday for a 40-mile trip from Kilmaurs, rendezvousing back in the village at the cafe which was once the bike shop.

The route consisted of the many familiar roads favoured by the Saturday morning regulars, who prefer to know where they’re going without too much planning.

They headed for Cunninghamhead at the start and went left to Irvine and past David Belding’s place, before left again via Perceton to Dreghorn roundabout.

From there, they pedalled through Dreghorn then turned left and over to Troon. After a blast around the coast, they cycled past the rugby club, into Loans and over to Marine Drive in Irvine.

Instead of the usual Drybridge route on the way home, the group opted to go by Kilwinning and Benslie, before returning to Kilmaurs.

The only mishap was a puncture between Irvine and Troon but it was a quick fix so the group weren’t hanging around too long.

Nine members turned up for a longer run in sub-zero temperatures the following day. From Kilmaurs, they headed to Cunninghamhead and Benslie, taking spells in pairs at the front to even out the work. This helped them make progress despite one older member being given a dispensation from lead duties.

Next up was Kilwinning and then Ardrossan and Saltcoats, before finding the West Kilbride road on the way to Largs.

The Haylie Brae climb provided a challenge but the group were up for it as they worked the cranks on their way to Kilbirnie, taking it easy on some of the descents as the roads were a bit slippery.

A welcome stop at Kilbirnie was followed by some fast cycling as they made for Beith then Stewarton on the way to Kilmaurs.

The distance was 50 miles but even further for some who cycled to the start and home again.

l THREE club members took part in a 20-mile off-road cycle at Cairn Kinney near Glespin, on the Ayrshire-Lanarkshire border, at the weekend.

They headed south on the Crawfordjohn road and turned off a mile later to follow the dead-end single track into the hills behind Muirkirk.

At the end of the tar, the riders struggled to follow the circular Duneaton Burn course on the map because much of the old pathway had disappeared through lack of use.

A rotting fingerpost did hold out some hope – one arm pointing to Sanquhar (13 miles) and the other marked “circular route” (five miles).

They chose the five-mile option and set out on well-used forest track to complete the circle, only to find the swollen burn stopping their progress three-quarters the way round.

They waded through the water and carried their bikes for another mile and a half as they searched for a path that was obvious on OS mapping but almost non-existent on the hill.

The eureka moment came when a sodden but distinct double track appeared from nowhere. This led round the last of the circle and on to the tarred road back to base.

The reward was a four-mile downhill dash to the van at Glespin.

l FIVE members of the RGCC (Retired Gentlemen’s Cycling Club) left Stewarton via Kilwinning road on Monday on a triangular route for Springside then by cycle track to Kilmaurs.

The group looked resplendent in their bright fluorescent tops but few would know that underneath were vital blue thermals.

At Kilmaurs, the retirees veered off at Standalane to recross the Irvine Road at Chapeltoun and take the Lainshaw access to Stewarton. Waiting at the Cottage was hot tea and buns, providing an opportunity to warm fingers and replenish calories.

The distance was 15 miles in all at the usual 11/12 mph.

l ON a cold, crisp Sunday morning the group from Dales RT left Sainsbury’s car park, Stewarton, and headed along the Kilmaurs back road, turning left towards Fenwick before heading into the top end of Kilmarnock.

The route then went down Assloss Road towards the Kilmarnock Water and Bringan Ford. This suited Martin Shields on his hybrid “tank” as he coped better with the gravel and ice than he would have with his usual skinny tyres.

The thought of getting wet encouraged riders to dismount at the Bringan and cross the bridge. From there, it was back to Grassyards Road before heading round the Moscow circuit and across to Crookedholm and Hurlford.

The route then led on to Crosshands and over towards Tarbolton but cut across to Symington and Langholm Farm for coffee and a heat.

With the temperature falling, the group headed over to Loans, up the coast to Kilwinning, over to Benslie then home for a run of 45 miles.

Dales have restarted their Sunday club runs which will be held weekly with the exception of this week.

l EIGHT riders from Wallacehill, Ayr Roads, Fullarton and Dales turned up at Marine Drive, Irvine, on Wednesday for the first criterium training night of 2012.

It was agreed that they would ride in one group, rather than splitting. Four laps of the course were completed at a high pace.

This group now meets at the car park of the Gailes Hotel at the driving range end. The course and meeting time of 6.45pm remains the same but it is felt that this new venue is more suitable.

l A RESPECTABLE turnout of 11 members met at Irvine Cross for the Fullarton Wheelers Sunday run.

Facing calm, yet cold weather, they set off towards Stewarton and by the time they hit the back roads behind Dunlop, patches of ice could be seen.

The coldest point was on the country road over to Uplawmoor, but a testing uphill section injected some soothing warmth into chilled Fullarton bones.

After Uplawmoor, the bunch took the rolling back road to Howwood.

From there, the bunch joined the cycle route and sustained a lively tempo to Lochwinnoch where a suggested cafe stop was called off to allow the riders to push for home.

A slight rise in temperature could be felt as they approached Glengarnock and there was more heat as they puffed on the climb out of the village.

The last section, from Dalry to Kilwinning, saw many riders relieved to recognise Kilwinning Abbey. In Kilwinning, the group split as the Irvine/Kilmarnock members carried on towards home.